ECHOES OF TERROR: RETURN TO THE SHADOWED HAVEN

Across the deserted road, the group moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing faintly against the eerie silence. Sae Joon Hyun’s mind churned with unease. The absence of zombies was suspicious, unnerving even. For years, the undead had been a constant threat, lurking in the shadows or appearing in droves. Now, the quiet felt unnatural, almost deliberate. Before he could voice his concerns, Yunha’s voice broke through the stillness.

“When you were going to Jeonju,” she began, her tone sharp and accusatory. Her gaze fixed on Sae Joon Hyun. The others stopped in their tracks, turning to face her. “Jaeyeon oppa said something to you. You froze immediately, and I could tell you were scared. What did he say?”

Sae Joon Hyun hesitated, his eyes flicking toward Jaeyeon before settling back on Yunha. “I’m not sure I remember,” he replied cautiously.

“Oh, really?” Yunha scoffed, her voice rising. “What other memories do you even have? We were all captured and thrown into some random white hospital building!”

Eunhye stepped forward, attempting to calm Yunha, but Yunha shoved her aside, her frustration boiling over. “You freed yourselves before us, and for some reason, you guys were kept in different rooms while the rest of us were thrown into a single room. But still! How much memory do you even have, huh? There’s nothing to forget after the world went mad! So just tell me!”

Her words hung in the air, her breathing heavy from the outburst. The others exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to intervene. Sae Joon Hyun sighed, his expression calm but tinged with regret.

Before he could respond, Jaeyeon stepped forward and placed a hand on Sae Joon Hyun’s wrist. “She’s talking about when I first told you…” Jaeyeon said softly, his voice low enough that only Sae Joon Hyun could hear.

Realization dawned on Sae Joon Hyun’s face. “Ah! That time,” he said aloud, looking back at Yunha. “He told me that he wasn’t a normal human anymore. At the time, I assumed he had turned into a zombie,” he admitted, his tone matter-of-fact as if the revelation was no big deal.

“What? This goes all the way back to then?” Mina exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief.

“Wow. I forgot how infuriating you used to be,” Eunhye muttered, rolling her eyes.

“What? Shut up. No one’s talking to you,” Mina shot back, her irritation flaring. She turned back to Sae Joon Hyun, her expression hardening. “He was a monster all the way back then? We have so many non-humans among us! How can we even trust you?”

Jeha, who had been walking slightly ahead, lifted Kaneisyeon into his arms, cradling her protectively. He glanced down at the little girl, offering her a reassuring smile before fixing Mina with a cold glare. “Look, Mina. There are more pressing matters to figure out right now. I hope you’ll cooperate,” he said firmly, his voice leaving little room for argument.

“Ugh, this again,” Mina muttered, throwing her hands in the air. “None of you realize how difficult this is going to make things later on for all of us.”

“If you have such a problem with it, then stay here,” Eunhye said sharply, resuming her walk without sparing Mina another glance.

The rest of the group followed suit, their footsteps crunching against the gravel. Mina stood there for a moment, fuming. She let out a frustrated sigh before jogging to catch up. “I’m telling you, staying with zombies is not a good idea,” she muttered under her breath, chewing her lip nervously.

But the others said nothing, their focus on the road ahead. The silence around them remained oppressive, but now it was laced with the tension simmering within their group.

The group finally reached the convenience store, its familiar façade stirring memories they had long buried. The faded signage and cracked windows seemed unchanged, a frozen relic from the chaos that had engulfed their lives. As they stood outside, a wave of nostalgia swept over them. This was where they had camped for the first time, scavenging for food and supplies before moving to the underground base. Back then, it had seemed like a beacon of hope, a temporary refuge in a world gone mad.

In-Ha exhaled softly, her gaze lingering on the building. “Ah,” she murmured, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. She had been pregnant the last time they were here, yet she had fought fiercely, refusing to let anything endanger her unborn child. Her resilience had inspired everyone around her, a testament to the strength they all drew from one another in those harrowing days.

With cautious steps, they entered the store. Dust coated the shelves, and the faint scent of mildew hung in the air, but it was otherwise untouched. They moved quickly, gathering supplies for safety—food, water, and anything that might prove useful in the uncertain days ahead. The silence inside was unnerving, broken only by the rustling of bags as they packed their findings into the sturdy backpack Jeongmin had provided.

Once their supplies were secured, they stepped back out into the dimming light, the sky tinged with hues of orange and purple. They fell in line behind Hailey, Yon, Eugene, Su-yeong, Hamin, and Jaeyeon—the group who had managed to stay together in the house while the others were captured. These six had borne the weight of survival alone, their bond forged through shared hardship.

The journey continued, their footsteps steady but wearied by the day’s trek. The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows that stretched across the road. Despite the encroaching darkness, they hadn’t encountered a single zombie since setting out, a fact that remained both a relief and a mystery. The nights, thankfully, were safer—zombies seldom moved in the absence of sunlight, their activity diminished under the cover of darkness.

When they finally reached the house, the night had fully settled in. Its familiar outline loomed before them, a sturdy, unassuming structure that had served as a sanctuary for Hailey and the others. Hailey turned back to the group, her voice tinged with a mix of pride and nostalgia. “This is where we used to stay after we parted with you guys,” she said, leading the way inside.

She flicked a switch, and to everyone’s relief, the lights blinked to life. The warm glow illuminated the room, chasing away the oppressive shadows of the night. The house was surprisingly intact, a rare haven in the ravaged world.

The others followed her in, their boots scuffing against the worn floorboards. Jaeyeon lingered at the door, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings one last time before he stepped in and closed the door securely behind him. Inside, a tentative sense of safety began to settle over them, though it was fragile, much like the lives they now led.